Internet Toolkit/Internet Toolkit.iso/info/faqlogo

Text File | 1993-11-24 | 29.8 KB | 704 lines

Fred G Martin: >>volunteer to do the FAQ                        8 Aug 93 19:26
Hi everyone.  Here's the last copy of the FAQ that I ever saw.  Dale,
if you want to take it from here, that'd be great.

        -Fred

Date: Wed, 27 May 92 18:02:46 -0500
From: [e-mail] (Graham O'Neil)
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
To: [e-mail]
Subject: FAQ update --still working to flesh out the holes
Cc: [e-mail]

Introductory Matter and Bibliography of Introductions and References

1: What is Logo?

   Logo is a computer programming language designed for use by child
   programmers.  One of the ideas guiding its creation was the principle
   "low floor, high ceiling."  This means that it should be easy for the
   novice programmer to get started (the "low floor") writing programs
   and getting satisfaction doing so, but that the language should be
   powerful and extensive in a "sky is the limit" sort of way (the "high
   ceiling").

   Logo was originally developed at the MIT AI lab in the 1960's based on
   ideas from the Lisp/Scheme languages in use there.  Modern computer
   science concepts of the procedure, recursion, programs-as-data are
   built into Logo.

   In its early days Logo was used to control a simple robot often called
   the "floor turtle."  Children would type commands such as FD 50 to
   make the robot go forward 50 steps, or RT 90 to make it turn right
   ninety degrees.  The turtle robot carried a pen, so children could
   make drawings on a piece of paper.

   Later the turtle "migrated" to the computer screen as a graphical
   icon.  This was good for several reasons:  it was much cheaper, it was
   faster, and accurate geometric drawings could be made.

   Seymour Papert and his colleagues who were developing Logo came to see
   the turtle as an important part of the Logo language.  Children (and
   later teachers) who were first using computer could begin by "talking
   to the turtle," typing in commands to make it move.  They could
   imagine how the turtle moved by "playing turtle"---moving their bodies
   as the turtle would.  Papert called this "body synoniticity," the idea
   of understanding how some external object worked by thinking about
   your own body.  He felt that the turtle as an "object to think with"
   was a powerful way to be introduced to the idea of programming.

   It teaches problem solving, logical thinking, constructive methods
   and allows the user to get a taste of the software development
   process.

   [Fred Martin | [e-mail]   | [phone]
   MIT Media Lab        | Epistemology and Learning Group | Cambridge, MA 02139]

   Logo resembles Lisp [ without the parenthesis], has a strong
   geometric flavor to it, and has a wide base of existing programs,
   books, and users.  Many of my colleagues who use only c, Lisp, or Ada
   treat it as a toy language and not to be taken seriously.  Yet there
   are some rigorous things it is far easier to do with Logo than any of
   the others.

   [PGO]


2: What is a mindstorm?

   Seymour Papert's book Mindstorms descibes the approach of giving
   children simple toolsso their energy and imagination can be powerfully
   applied to concept exploration and leaning.  A central tool is the
   Logo language and its turtles.

   To get a feel for the usefulness of Logo in working with young
   children, read the book {\it Mindstorms} by Seymour Papert [ who with
   Marvin Minsky developed LOGO].  Interestingly even though our school
   systems seem to offer LOGO in the elementary grades only to
   exceptional, enrichment, or high achiever students, the language was
   targeted in its design and development for the broad middle range of
   students.  It has also been successfully used for students facing
   challenges/impairment in many cognitive areas.  There is even a
   chapter in ``Mindstorms'' on their work with learning disabled
   children.

   Of course it is a wonderful experience for the bright and gifted
   children.  There are a lot of growth features for children who have
   the ability to explore and experiment.  One of the most exciting is a
   combination of LEGO and Logo to build Robots and other computer
   controlled vehicles with LEGO Technics kits.
   [PGO]

3: Where can I learn more about Logo?

   a.  _Mindstorms:  Children, Computers and Powerful Ideas_, Seymour
   Papert, Basic Books,1980.

   b.  The Epistemology and Learning Group at the MIT Media Laboratory,
   headed by Seymour Papert, 20 Ames Street Room 309, Cambridge, MA
   02139.  Write to E&L Publications and ask for the publications
   bibliography.

   Some papers are available via anonymous FTP from cher.media.mit.edu
   (18.85.0.47) (Postscript printer required).

   c.  The Logo Foundation, Michael Tempel, president,
   [e-mail] or phone [phone]

4: What are microworlds?

   Microworlds are well-structured environments for learning.  Most
   often, the word 'microworld' is used in reference to a computer
   environment, but the word can be taken to mean more generally, any
   well-structured learning situation.

   Perhaps the most well-known microworld is that of turtle geometry.
   The turtle obeys specific commands in a well-defined way, creating an
   environment for explorations in 'turtle geometry,' a relative geometry
   that is just as rigorous and logical as Cartesian geometry, yet often
   much easier to understand.

   This idea of a system of rules and constraints that has its own
   internal logic, yet encourages exploration, construction, and
   learning, is the essence of a microworld.


Getting Started; Computer systems and Programs

5: How do I get started with Logo?

   We have been using the Logo language on our Apple for a couple of
   years for our two young boys.  It is accessible for anyone who can
   read and use the alphanumeric keys.  It can be made accessible for
   non-readers and non-keyboard proficient people.  I have seen
   references to such shells, but don't remember where.

   There are two major dialects, several minor variations and some
   varieties missing significant features of a Logo functional language.
   They run on almost all home style computer systems and most departmental
   machines like Vaxen.

   a.  "LogoWriter," a modern version of the Logo language, is sold by
   Logo Computer Systems, Inc. (LCSI).  Papert and past students of his
   are principals in this company.  LogoWriter is the most popular
   version of Logo available today.

   @\begin{verbatim}
   LCSI                         This is really the main one,
   3300 Cote Vertu Rd.          They have a New York Office.
   Suite 201                    We have dealt happily with this one however.
   Montreal, Quebec, Canada H4R 2B7

   (800) 321-LOGO or
   [phone]

   Logo Computer Systems, Inc.
   555 W. 57th St., Suite 1236
   New York, NY 10019
   212-765-4780

   @\end{verbatim}

   b.  Terrapin Logo has some minor software differences from the LCSI
   dialect.

   Terrapin Software
   400 Riverside st.
   Portland, ME 04103
   [phone]

6: What do I need to know about Apples?

   The two major companies supplying Logo for the Apple family are LCSI
   and Terrapin.  If it is a GS, specify that since the LCSI for the GS
   is quite enhanced over the c/e/+ variety.

   Cost seems to be from $75-$100.  Apple has a LOGO for their own
   machines.  In the past, it has been more expensive than the other
   varieties [and more limited in its commands].  Apple is rumored to be
   upgrading and making a better version available [ particularly for the
   GS line].

   You also might want to check out some of the mail order companies.
   Educational Resources might be a good bet.  1-800-624-2926.

   In the summer of 1991, Joe Abernathy had an article in Incider
   magazine on a large number of Logo packages for the Apple family.

7: What do I need to know about PCs?

   The two major companies supplying Logo for the PCs are LCSI and
   Terrapin.  Cost seems to be from $75-$100.  IBM sells a LOGO for their
   own machines.  In the past, it has been much more expensive.  IBM even
   has a hard time selling it to you even if you are willing to pay the
   $250.


   Two PC versions of Logo and a Logo-like program are supported by
   individuals as shareware.

   WIN-Logo is a version of Logo for the PC that was originally
   developed in the Spanish language and has recently been ported to
   English.  This Logo uses a windowed environment to implement the
   command console, editing buffer, and graphic screen as well as other
   Features.  It runs on IBM-PCs with EGA graphics or better.  (Note:
   despite its name, WIN-Logo is /not/ an MS-Windows application; rather
   it is a regular MS-DOS application that has its own
   window/mouse-oriented GUI.)

   For more information, contact Shiva Raja (his phone number in the
   USA is 508-263-1791).


   Ladybug is from David N. Smith from 44 Ole Musket Lane, Danbury, CT 06810
   as of 1984. He allows educational institutions and others to freely hand
   it out but not for profit. It does Logo graphics and also includes
   a sound capability.  Runs on a CGA system, others may be available.

8: What do I need to know about MACs?

   Five Logos are now available for MAC.

   * Terrapin Mac Logo is a fairly standard Logo with a few hooks into
   Mac features such as quickdraw.  It also has arrays and strings.
   The debugging tools are better than most Logos.  It has multiple
   turtles.  You can change the turtle shape to be Mac bitmaps (or
   arrays of Mac bitmaps which change as it turns).  You can import
   MacPaint graphics, etc.  You can have several windows open at once,
   and you can control the windows with Logo commands.  You can save an
   Edit window as text, preserving comments (if you save a workspace,
   Logo reformats everything).

   Terrapin Mac Logo lists at $99.95.
   It comes with a reference manual and a nice tutorial about
   programming in Logo.


   * Object Logo is now sold and supported by Paradigm Software in
   Cambridge, MA.  They can be reached at [phone]. They have
   recently released a new version, Object Logo 2.5.  Object Logo 2.5
   carries a retail price of $149.00.  Owners of earlier versions of
   Object Logo can upgrade to version 2.5 for $55.  Lab packs and site
   licenses will also be available.  All the comments for Terrapin also
   go for Object Logo.  In addition, it has "object" oriented extensions
   to the language.

   * ExperLogo is available from ExperTelligence, Inc.  It is a compiled
   Logo with 1,2, and 3 dimensional bunnies (everybody else has
   turtles...bunnies go faster).  It supports Quickdraw calls, menu
   changes, and is chock full of functions and commands.  The cost is
   $150.

   The address I have from AI Expert (6/89) is:
   ExperTelligence, Inc
   5638 Hollister Ave. Ste 302
   Goleta, CA 93117
   [phone]

   [Gerald A. Edgar          [e-mail]]

   * Logo Computer Systems, Inc. sells a version of its LogoWriter
   product for the Mac.

   * LCSI is soon to release a new flagship Logo product (3rd Q 93)
   named "Microworlds".  Microworlds includes multi-tasking, interface
   objects with Logo programs behind them, draw tools, and other modern
   computer environment features.


9: What are the Other Computer Systems?
        Atari 800XL

10:  Public Domain, Shareware, and Logo-like programs?

   a.  Ladybug Logo for the IBM-PC, available from simtel20 archives,
   wuarchive.wustl.edu, others.  See note in the PC section for additional
   information.

    ladybug is pc program that has many features of LOGO, geometric
    movement, user screens,...  The only ordering info I have is the
    slightly out of date one here.

    ladybug is from David N. Smith from 44 Ole Musket Lane, Danbury, CT 06810
    as of 1984. He allows educational institutions and others to freely hand
    it out but not for profit. It does the pictures of Logo and also includes
    a sound capability.

    b.  The archives for comp.sources.unix have a version of logo written in
    C.  You should be able to find it at both gatekeeper.dec.com and
    uunet.uu.net.  Check Archie for additional archive sites.

    In any event at uunet.uu.net, you can find it in directory
    /usr/spool/ftp/usenet/comp.sources.unix/v10/logo.  I haven't used it [
    or even compiled, but I did read it and it looks reasonable].

    c.  Brian Harvey of UCB has some grad students working on a LOGO which
    will be public domain when completed.


Logo in Education

11:  What do the schools use Logo for:

    From [e-mail] Fri May 15 10:54:02 1992

    I finally tracked down my "Seeding Mindstorms with Logo" information.
    It is a paperback book designed for elementary teachers to use to
    develop basic geometry, shape, writing and problem solving skills (as
    well as probably a few more skills).  I paid $5.95 for the book, which I
    got from Interactive Education Technologies, P.O. Box 393; Fontana, WI
    53125.  Their phone number is [phone].



         11A: What results have been obtained from the use of Logo in
         the classroom?


    There is some research in this area, I don't have many references at
    hand, but historically, they look at things like establishing earlier
    skill mastery, better cognition or problems solving approaches, better
    self image, less fear of computers and technology,...aid to
    handicapped students, etc.  This is a tough subject to get a start in,
    because there are so many uncontrolled variables.  Some refs across a
    wide spectrum that might be of use; the quality of the papers is
    uneven.

    Cuneo, D.  ``Young Children and Turtle Graphics Programming:
    Understanding Turtle Commands.'' Paper presented at the Biennial
    Meeting of the Society for research in Child Development, Toronto, Apr
    1985. (ERIC Document Reproduction Service No. ED 260 800)

    Emihovich, C.  and Miller, G.  ``Effects of Logo and CAI on Black
    First Grader's Achievement, Reflectivity and Self-Esteem.''
    ``Elementary School Journal,'' 1988, Vol 88, No 5, pp 473-487.


    Harckham, L.  ``The Impact of Microcomputer Instruction on Handicapped
    Students: Second Year Findings.''  Paper presented at the Annual
    Convention of the Council for Exceptional Children, New Orleans,
    Mar-Apr 1986. (ERIC Document Reproduction Service No.  ED 280 245)

    Munro-Mavria, S. ``Computer Programming by Kindergarten Children Using
    Logo.''  Paper presented at the Association for Media and technology
    in education in Canada/ADATE Confluence '83, Montreal, June 21, 1983.
    (ERIC Document Reproduction Service No. ED 237 066)

    Siann, G., McLeod, H., Glisskov, P., \& Durndell, A.  ``The Effect of
    Computer Use on Gender Differences in Attitudes to Computers.''
    ``Computers Educ'' 1990 Vol 14, No. 2 pp 183-191, (Great Britain:
    Pergammon Press, plc)


12: What do the schools do with LEGO-Logo?

    a.  LEGO Dacta, c/o LEGO Systems, Inc publishes "LEGO Connexions," a
    newsletter for LEGO tc Logo users.

         13: What does Piaget have to do with Logo?

         14: What benefits arise from use of Logo as a primary language?

         [Brian Harvey and Gary Perlman's discussion would be a good
         starting point]

Electronic resources and Archives for Logo

15: Are there any archives for Logo?

    a.  The Epistemology and Learning Group at MIT maintains an anonymous
    FTP server containing papers about Logo in education and LEGO/Logo.
    The address is cher.media.mit.edu (18.85.0.47).  You will need a
    PostScript printer to print the papers.

    There is no established archive for Logo programs, however the
    comp.sources.misc archives has some Logo code in Volume 12 Issue 11
    generally abbreviated as V12i011 for some curves and music that Gerald
    Produced.  They are for a Macintosh Logo and quite nice.

         16: Besides this newsgroup, what other Electronic resources are
         there for Logo

    logo-friends, k12.edu.math


Opportunities for Logo

17: What is LEGO/Logo

    [NB, The official product trademark of LEGO is``LEGO tc logo.'' The
    ``tc'' in``LEGO tc logo'' stands for ``Technic Control.'' However to
    remain consistent with the preferred style, we will use LEGO/Logo for
    both concept and product]

    LEGO/Logo is a set of materials that allows the Logo language to
    control motorized machines built from LEGO bricks.  In a way,
    LEGO/Logo is a throwback to the early days of floor turtles, but with
    an important new twist: in addition to writing the programs to control
    the "turtle," children can build the turtle itself!

    And much more:  practically anything imaginable can be built from
    today's LEGO set, which includes gears, wheels, axles, motors, and
    sensors in addition to the basic building brick.  Children have made
    electronic houses, candy factories, and robotic animals, just to name
    a few.

    LEGO/Logo allows children to be multimedia inventors---designing both
    hardware and software---and learn more about the technology by being
    involved from the standpoint being an empowered creator, not an
    intimidated user.
    Details from an Electronic copy of a LEGO Dacta announcement:

    LEGO Dacta, the educational division of LEGO Systems, Inc. (the
    retail toy giant) introduces "The Technic Control I (TCI)
    Technology Pack" for grades 7-12. This hands-on problem solving
    kit is designed to give students a better understanding of the
    role of computers and machines in today's technology. Specific
    student activities designed for the four major areas of
    Technology Education (ie., Construction, Communications,
    Manufacturing, and Transportation) are provided in the brand new
    TCI Resource Guide (item #959). This guide of over 300 pages
    contains forty hands-on activities for students, extensive
    teacher notes, selected building instructions, and many
    programming solutions.

    The TCI Technology pack can also be used with robotics,
    engineering, gifted and talented, artificial intelligence,
    physical science, and applied mathematics curricula, grades 7-12.
    The Technology pack includes two 1090 Building sets (each set
    contains 404 elements with individual storage trays and
    step-by-step building instructions for five computer-controlled
    models), the TCI Resource Guide, software disks, reference
    guides, computer slot card and cable (compatible with Apple and
    MS-DOS systems), and an interface box and transformer. This
    Technology Pack is suited for use by four students at one
    computer station.

18: How can I get LEGO/Logo

    a.  "LEGO tc logo" is sold by LEGO Dacta, c/o LEGO Systems Inc., 555
    Taylor Road, Enfield CT 06082, [phone].  It is available for
    the IBM-PC and the Apple II series (IIe and IIgs) computers.
    For a full color, descriptive brochure, write:

    LEGO Dacta
    555 Taylor Road
    P.O. Box 1600
    Enfield, CT  06083-1600,

    or call, toll free, [phone].

    b.  Paradigm Software sells the "Pearl Controller" which allows
    interfacing a LEGO/Logo kit sold by LEGO to the Mac.  Phone contact is
    [phone].

    c.  Bots, Inc. sells a robotic controller for the Mac compatible with
    LEGO sensors and motors.  Contact Len Erickson at Bots, 905 South
    Springer Road, Los Altos, CA  94024, [phone].

18A:  What do the schools use LEGO/Logo For

    I have used LEGO Educational products in my classes for two years
    now, and as far as I am concerned, they are the "...best thing
    since sliced bread!"  For more information about how I use LEGO
    LOGO in the physics lab, drop me a line on most of this same
    "station" and I'll be happy to talk to you about it:

    Ron Revere=  [e-mail].

19: What are other major uses of Logo [eg orienteering,...]

    From: [e-mail] (dale.e.parson)
    It's a thinking-person's walk, & fun for those desk-sitters like myself
    who can beat hard-core jocks by virtue of superior map&compass skills
    (the REAL practitioners are ALL good at map&compass, so competition for
    them degenerates to mostly physical prowess). Where's the educational
    hook? I first started thinking about orienteering-as-math when running
    across Seymour Papert's use of having kids walk & turn as an intro.
    to Logo (somebody else can post about Logo if there's a question, but
    basically is body-oriented geometry/computer programming that has
    locally-referenced linear (go forward N steps) and rotational (turn
    right Y degrees) building blocks, not global Cartesian-coordinate-
    disembodied geometry (no universal frame of reference outside the body).
    Logo was meant to map to kids' perceptions of their bodies-in-the-world,
    & is often intro'd by having them walk out Logo programs before approaching
    the computer.

    Orienteering extends Papert's simple walks. There IS a universal
    reference--north is north--but setting up the map-to-where-I-am
    correspondence & using that to decide next move is VERY body
    oriented. It's not just an APPLICATION of math, its INHERENTLY
    mathematical. One of the most fundamental mathematical concepts is
    MAPPING, relating entities in one domain somehow to entities
    in another. Orienteering does this right up front. Most beginners,
    including 5 year olds, like to get the map, the compass, and their
    eyes all agreeing on north at one time before proceeding. There
    are short-cuts for speed--use the protractor built into the orienteering
    compass to get off-north degrees from the map without looking at the
    world, then set the compass physical sight using this reading without
    aligning the map--but like most math short-cuts, beginners should
    best avoid them until they are comfortable with the basic processes.

    Beyond mapping, there is SCALING/RATIOS, English-to-Metric, PLANNING,
    domain-specific symbol recognition, physical fitness & endurance,
    geography, patience building in 5 & 37 year olds, after-walk picnics,
    ecology & botany (it's in the woods or desert), & history (our last meet
    was at Daniel Boone Homestead). With a 5 year old I keep the formal math
    pretty light, but when augmented with protractor+ruler play to draw
    shapes at home on off-days, it's a good dose of body geometry. When
    we get to the Pythagorean theorem or linear projections some day,
    these kids should have lots of concrete experiences from which to
    build.

20: Can Logo help the handicapped?

   Marvin Minsky reports that, ``In the LOGO project here, a graduate
   student, Jose Valente, was introduced to a severe CP patient who could
   only grunt and voluntarily move a few muscles.  He was considered
   hopelessly retarded by the institution staff (age 17).  Valente
   coupled him to a turtle geometry system with a head-pointer, and it
   turned out that he knew quite a lot of language and quite a lot of
   intuitive geometry; in a couple of years he had become a good
   programmer, was admitted to Amherst, and got a job in a registrar's
   office in a local university, etc.''


Staying up to date and Advancing the State of the Art

: Related professional organizations

: Conference listings


: Publications

25: Books

   For late elementary through junior high kids:
   ---------------------------------------------

   Watt, Daniel:  _Learning with Logo_  (McGraw-Hill)

   Abelson, Harold:  _Apple Logo_  (McGraw-Hill)

   Birch, Alison:  _The Logo Project Book_  (Terrapin, Inc)



   For high school to adult:
   -------------------------

   Harvey, Brian  [that's me!]:  _Computer Science Logo Style_  (MIT Press)
   vol. 1: Intermediate Programming
   vol. 2: Projects, Styles, and Techniques
   vol. 3: Advanced Topics

   Friendly, Michael: Advanced Logo  (Lawrence Erlbaum Associates)

   Burke, Michael, and L. Roland Genise: _Logo and Models of Computation_
   (Addison-Wesley)


   Using Logo to teach other stuff (mostly math)
   ---------------------------------------------

   Cuoco, Albert:  _Investigations in Algebra_  (MIT Press)

   Clayson, James:  _Visual Modeling with Logo_  (MIT Press)

   Goldenberg, E. Paul, and Wallace Feurzeig:
   _Exploring Language with Logo_  (MIT Press)

   Lewis, Philip: _Approaching Precalculus Mathematics Discretely_
   (MIT Press)


26: Centers of Research
        1. MIT
        2. University of Virginia
        3. University of Oregon

        : Acknowledgements

   [Fred Martin | [e-mail]   | [phone]
   MIT Media Lab        | Epistemology and Learning Group | Cambridge, MA 02139]

   [Gerald A. Edgar          [e-mail]]

   [[e-mail] Jim Peters]

   [Ron Revere=  [e-mail].]

   [[e-mail] (dale.e.parson)]

   [[e-mail] Brian Harvey]


Brian Harvey: >>>volunteer to do the FAQ                        8 Aug 93 20:30
I think the FAQ as posted needs some work.  A lot of things that are either one
person's opinion or one person's experience ("We use xxx with our two kids...")
are presented as if they are the collective thoughts of the group.  I was, for
example, surprised to read that schools only use Logo with gifted kids; that's
not my experience, although I'm sure it's true somewhere.


James Gow: >>>volunteer to do the FAQ                           9 Aug 93 03:56
Fred,
   According to Wally Feurzieg in his article in Digital Deli
1984 Logo was name by him at BBN and Paul Wexelblat built the
first turtle on th efloor. The name of the article is Logo
Lineage. In the article Seymour was called in as a consultant on
the functional characteristcs. Perhaps we should revise your
historical references a little.

--
Linc, James Internet: [e-mail]; UUCP: gatech!uflorida!novavax!gowj
Songs of Solomon 2:12 "...the voice of the turtle is heard in our land."
James Gow P.O. Box 700585 Miami, Fla. 33170. Disclaimer [Is this really
necessary? I have a hard time getting people to understand that!]


Brian Harvey: oops                                              9 Aug 93 16:43
This morning I fixed a slight bug in Berkeley Logo.  If you downloaded
your copy last night, you might want to re-download.  It won't affect
you unless you have optional inputs whose default expression starts with
a monadic minus, like this:

        TO FOO :X :Y [:Z -3*:X]

Sorry about that...


Paul Wexelblat: >>>>volunteer to do the FAQ (+ some history)    9 Aug 93 17:41

Both Wally F. and I are available via email
(Wally is [e-mail], and I am [e-mail]) although I am
not able to do the FAQ, I would certainly be interested in helping
with the history of the early Logo.
BTW, Seymour is [e-mail] (down the road a piece).

And a titbit or two for you history buffs:

The first implementation of what we now know and love as Logo, was
written in LISP (surprise, huh?) on a PDP-1 (at BBN) Its name
was "ghost".

The first turtle was a radio controlled (wireless) floor
roamer named "Irving" -- after the punchline of a then current
joke.  Irving had touch sensors and could do forward, back, right,
left (rotations), and ding (Irving had a bell). Irving had his name
changes when I started dating a girl who's father was named Irving.
I designed and built Irving, and I added the turtle commands to Logo
(then implemented on a different BBN PDP-1 in Assembly Language).

        ...Wex

(Please note new domain name, now [e-mail])
(University of Lowell is now University of Massachusetts Lowell)


Erik Hatcher: Floor Turtles                                     9 Aug 93 19:54
Forgive me if this has been answered already...

Does anyone have information on Floor Turtles that
connect to PC's?  Where can they be obtained?  What
can they do?  What is their price?


Karl Altenburg: >Floor Turtles                                  9 Aug 93 23:09

LEGO Dacta (the educational division of LEGO) sells LEGO kits that contain
parts for building various physical turtles.  The kits contain motors,
sensors, computer interfaces, along with the LEGO building bricks and
Technics pieces (gears and the like.)  LEGO/Logo is a version of
LOGO Writer with primitives for interfacing with an I/O box/card.

As an example would could get their interface card, software and reference
manual for $161; the I/O box for $188; and a set of LEGO building
pieces (including some motors and sensor) for $161.

LEGO Dacta is also coming out with a new product line using the newer
9 volt motors and a GUI/Logo interface this fall.

There is also Fischer Technic, which is another contruction element type
system.  They sell a computer interface, sensors, motors and other
parts required for turtles for about the same prices at LEGO (maybe a
little more expensive.)

Finially there is something called the WAO II Programmable Robotic Kit
that was put out by company call OWI.  This is a prebuit or semi-assembled
kit robot that can be either programmed with a built in keypad (executes
a series of commands) or can be interfaced with a computer.  I've seen
both Apple II and IBM based interfaces.  Prices for the kit are around
$80 for the robot and $40 to $60 for the interface.

If you need addresses or phone numbers for more information I could
look them up for you.

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Karl R Altenburg                                [e-mail]
North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND  58105